A carport is a place to park your car at home. A carport is a structure consisting of a roof and posts; it can be attached to a garage or a house. Its main characteristic is that it does not have several solid walls, unlike a garage. It does not close or lock. However, it allows you to protect your vehicle from bad weather (snow, rain, wind) as well as from the sun’s rays, thus preserving its bodywork.
The different types of carport
There are different types of carports. First of all, a carport can be made of different materials. Wood, aluminium and PVC are the main ones.
Wood is an increasingly popular material because it is aesthetically and ecologically appealing. If you have wooden elements in your garden, such as a terrace or a shed, a wooden carport is the right choice for an aesthetic consistency in your garden. If you are seeking storage solutions, prefabricated wooden garages with a carport are an ideal way to protect your car and to meet your storage needs at the same time. Wood is a durable and resistant material. To personalise it according to your taste, just paint or stain it and you’re done!
In terms of customisation, the aluminium carport also stands up well: manufacturers offer many architectural styles, numerous colour variations and finishing options (matt, glossy, chrome). It is an ideal solution for storing your car if you have a modern style home.
The PVC carport is an economical alternative and can add harmony to your home if you have PVC windows and openings
Where to install the carport ?
Depending on the configuration of your property and the space or shelter you have available, there are several possible locations. But be careful, depending on the size of the carport you want and the number of vehicles you have to place in it, you must choose a place with enough space not to compromise the look of your garden. This place should also allow you to manoeuvre freely and to access the road easily.
You can place your carport against one of the outside walls of your house, in front of your garage if you have one, or on the edge of your property.
It is recommended to choose a spot where the ground is flat in order to facilitate its construction but also to arrange it : gravel, asphalt, flagstones: a wide choice is available to you to carry out this work.
Carports are trendier than garages
Choosing between a garage or a carport is a question of preference but also of budget.Carports are more and more fashionable. Their design brings a modern touch to your exterior. The customisation attracts many homeowners today. This is particularly true for renovations of older houses without a garage or for new buildings. More than the aesthetics it offers compared to a garage, the cost is the factor that tips the balance. As it does not have solid walls, a carport requires less work than a garage. It is therefore less expensive. However, if you also need a garage, it may be worth looking at combined carport and garage solutions, which will save you money and significantly increase the value of your home.
